Digital Camber Gauge - am I expecting too much?

[Tommie38]

I recently bought a B-G Racing Camber Gauge.

On the face of it, a nice piece of kit, however I am struggling to calibrate the included inclinometer. The calibration process goes through 3 different planes, each one requiring you to flip by 180 degrees. I assumed this was to account for the calibration surface not being perfectly level (in other words, the inclinometer would detect the difference between the two).

Once calibrated, I have found that the gauge does not give the same reading in both directions. Typically it is 0.3 degrees (decimal) out when flipped over.

I called B-G direct and spoke to somebody who seemed quite knowledgeable. His advice was that the calibration doesn't always work and that I would be better off calibrating against a properly flat surface. He advised to break out a spirit level, which I have done, and use spacers to get it level. I've got what I'd imagine is a 600mm level, so long enough.

Once calibrated that way, I am still getting readings that contradict each other when the device is flipped over. Again around 0.3 degrees.

Having studied the kit, I am not sure that they frame is perfectly level and there is a *very* slight bend in one of the alignment pins. However, I don't see how that should be an issue given that I am stepping through the calibration process with the inclinometer fitted to the frame.

Am I expecting too much?

I'm adjusting camber and to me 0.3 degrees feels like a lot to be out by. Sometimes as much as 0.4. It is advertised as accurate to 0.1 degrees.

The inclinometer that is sold with the kit is a rebadged DXL360. I've read reviews online and they don't seem to highlight any major issues with it.

[Penelope Stopit]

I agree, there's something wrong

Once calibrated it shouldn't be showing a difference of 3 never mind 4 degrees when flipping over 180 degrees if accuracy is supposed to be one degrees

[Tommie38]

The difference is 0.3 or 0.4 when the accuracy is listed as 0.1.

Interestingly, in the horizontal plane (camber is vertical) it is almost perfect. I think there is a fault with the inclinometer. In the horizontal plane it is a great piece of kit.

Now all I need to do is have a horrific car accident that leaves the car on its side. I’ll be able to measure camber accurately all day long... 😆

[Evoluzione]

The lack of replies is telling.

It's possibly not as accurate as they say it is.
.3 of a degree is bugger all unless you think you're Louis Hamilton.

Life is so tough, sometimes you've got to make a decision all on your own without asking the internet.

[GreenV8S]

You don't need to flip it over to actually use it, do you?

Is it giving consistent readings for the measurements you actually want to take?

Does a plain old spirit level indicate the readings are accurate?

[Tommie38]

Evoluzione said:

The lack of replies is telling.

It's possibly not as accurate as they say it is.
.3 of a degree is bugger all unless you think you're Louis Hamilton.

Life is so tough, sometimes you've got to make a decision all on your own without asking the internet.

My gut feeling is that this is simply a faulty product. The fact that it reads accurately and within quoted specification in the other plane supports that.

I’d say 0.3 degrees is getting towards noticeable. I appreciate it may not be for you. The kit is sold by a company that targets the motor sport industry don’t forget.

I’m not sure I understand your last point.

[Tommie38]

GreenV8S said:

You don't need to flip it over to actually use it, do you?

Is it giving consistent readings for the measurements you actually want to take?

Does a plain old spirit level indicate the readings are accurate?

Relative readings appear to be consistent, so if I want to track changes I can. The problem is that the actual readings themselves are not accurate in the absolute sense. They would need to be the same in both directions for that to be true (as they are for the horizontal plane).

My main reason was to track the geometry in between proper geo setups. Very hard to tell with a spirit level, but if the gauge gives different readings in both directions it can’t really be trusted. I can’t just assume that it is working in the orientation that I am using it.

My gut feeling is that this is a good kit with a faulty part. I’ve got another inclinometer coming and will compare.

[Penelope Stopit]

Tommie38 said:

The difference is 0.3 or 0.4 when the accuracy is listed as 0.1.

Interestingly, in the horizontal plane (camber is vertical) it is almost perfect. I think there is a fault with the inclinometer. In the horizontal plane it is a great piece of kit.

Now all I need to do is have a horrific car accident that leaves the car on its side. I’ll be able to measure camber accurately all day long... ??

Read it correctly but missed the 0. out when replying

Good luck in getting sorted

[GreenV8S]

Tommie38 said:

The problem is that the actual readings themselves are not accurate in the absolute sense.

There will always be inaccuracy. If you calibrate it then you know what the inaccuracy is. Consistency is far more important.